Transnet Invests R1 Billion in Marine Fleet Renewal Program
TRANSNET National Ports Authority (TNPA) is making a significant investment of R1 billion in its marine fleet renewal program by acquiring seven new tugboats. The aim of this investment is to enhance marine operations at its commercial seaports, specifically at the ports of Durban and East London.
The contracts for the delivery of these seven tugboats have been awarded to Damen Shipyards Cape Town, with the vessels expected to be delivered between April and August 2024. Five of the tugboats will be allocated to the Port of Durban, while the remaining two will go to the Port of East London.
The new tugboats boast the latest hull design and propulsion technology, with a 60-ton bollard pull capacity. This is a significant improvement from the current tugboats, which have a bollard pull ranging between 32 and 40 tons. The increased bollard pull capacity will make the new tugboats highly maneuverable and capable of safely guiding larger vessels in and out of the ports.
TNPA Chief Harbour Master, Captain Rufus Lekala, emphasized the importance of this investment in providing reliable marine craft to service the marine industry and meet global shipping demands. This move is part of Transnet’s efforts to improve the performance of its port operations and ensure a competitive port system that supports economic growth.
This investment follows the successful delivery of the state-of-the-art plough tug, Mohoma, to TNPA in May 2023. The addition of these new tugboats is expected to further enhance the port infrastructure and increase the berth capacity, supporting TNPA’s growth plan for the region.